The Springbok Sevens picked up an impressive 21-5 win over New Zealand to top Pool B at the end of day one of the Dubai Sevens.

With both teams unbeaten in their group, this fixture proved to be the crucial pool decider. New Zealand, as defending World Series champions and Gold Coast Sevens losing finalists, were favourites for the win, but Paul Treu’s charges delivered a strong performance as they claimed a famous triumph.

Skipper Kyle Brown scored his third try of day one while Robert Ebersohn also crossed the chalk from a clever Boom Prinsloo offload to secure a 14-0 lead at the break. It took a strong defensive effort to keep the Kiwis scoreless in the opening seven minutes.

New Zealand captain DJ Forbes scored in the corner to put his team back in the game, but former SA Schools captain William Small-Smith came off the bench to score the match-winning try.

Earlier in the day, the Springbok Sevens picked up their second pool win with a 36-7 thrashing of the USA.

It was a convincing first half display that earned South Africa their 18th consecutive win over America. Brown dotted early before the rush of tries through Branco du Preez, Renfred Dazel and Bernado Botha secured a 24-0 half-time lead.

Prinsloo and Mark Richards continued the onslaught in the second stanza while Peter Tiberio claimed a consolation score for the USA.

South Africa also scored three tries in a 17-5 straightforward victory over Portugal.

Bernado Botha scored the only points in the first half for a slim lead at the break. Brown and Small-Smith dotted down after half-time to seal the win before Portugal grabbed a late try through Frederico Oliveira.